As a film student, it's really hard whenever a family member or someone I'm meeting for the first time asks "Oh, you like movies? What are some good movies?" Obviously my definition of a "good movie" is going to wildly differ from theirs, so the conversation usually ends fairly quickly.
In a few rare cases, though, my definition of "great (i.e. thoughtfully-made, beautifully shot, well-written, well-acted) lines up with theirs (exciting, fun, suspensful). So now, whenever I get this question, my first answer is "Tell No One." It's a 2007 French (the one hard sell) film based on Harlan Coben's novel of the same name, and it's one of the best finds I've made in years. It has the adrenaline highs of some of the best American suspense thrillers, but the slow burn of a more thoughtful art-house film. It's packed with fabulous performances, and carries the sure directorial hand of French filmmaker Guillame Canet. Stylistically it reminded me a lot of Children of Men--While it doesn't share that film's gritty hopelessness or mind-boggling long-takes, it is similarly an action film whose visual style is informed almost solely by the emotional arc of its main character.
It's an amazing film that I have successfully shared both with my mainstream family and pretentious film snob friends alike, and one that everyone should check out. (It's on Netflix Watch Instantly as well).
In a few rare cases, though, my definition of "great (i.e. thoughtfully-made, beautifully shot, well-written, well-acted) lines up with theirs (exciting, fun, suspensful). So now, whenever I get this question, my first answer is "Tell No One." It's a 2007 French (the one hard sell) film based on Harlan Coben's novel of the same name, and it's one of the best finds I've made in years. It has the adrenaline highs of some of the best American suspense thrillers, but the slow burn of a more thoughtful art-house film. It's packed with fabulous performances, and carries the sure directorial hand of French filmmaker Guillame Canet. Stylistically it reminded me a lot of Children of Men--While it doesn't share that film's gritty hopelessness or mind-boggling long-takes, it is similarly an action film whose visual style is informed almost solely by the emotional arc of its main character.
It's an amazing film that I have successfully shared both with my mainstream family and pretentious film snob friends alike, and one that everyone should check out. (It's on Netflix Watch Instantly as well).
